Button-assembling machine.



E. P. .T. LUNDQUIST. BUTTON ASSBMBLING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED APR.26, 1909.

9?? Patented Mar. 1,1910.

3 SHEHTS-BHEET 1.

human E. F. T. LUNDQUIST.

BUTTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE. APPLIUATION FILED APR. 26,1909 1. PatentedMar. 1,1910.

3 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

\iijil nnuml EL F. T. LUNDQUIST. BUTTON ASSEMBLING MACHINE. APPLIOATIONFILED APR. 26, 1909.

Patented Mar. 1, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

2' Y! 7/ I w ERNEST F. T. LUNDQUIS'I, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BUTTON-ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ennnsr F. T. LUND- (311181, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certam new and useful Improvements inButton-Assembling Machines, of which the following is a specification,reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to button assembling machines and particularly tothat class of machines designed for assembling what are known asbutton-backs or button-tufts, which consist of collets provided eachwith a disk of cloth extending through the central opening of the colletto form the shank of the button, the disks of cloth being held inposition by means of pads of paper or other suitable material firmlypressed into the collets. 1

It is the object of my invention to provide a new and improvedconstruction of machine by which these button-tufts may be assembled,the separate parts being simply placed in position on a table and theentire process subsequent thereto being performed by the machine. Iaccomplish this object by the means illustrated in the drawings andhereinafter specifically described.

That which I believe to be new will be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved machine.Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4c is asection on line 4:-4: of Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 ofFig. 1. Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a sectionon line 7-7 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail, being a view,partly in sec tion, of the lower end of the plunger shown in Fig. 2 andthe die which it enters. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail, being across-sectional view of the lower end of the plunger shown in Fig. 6 andthe die which it enters. Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of acompleted button-tuft.

Referring to the drawings indicates a table having legs 21. Revolublymounted on the upper surface of the table 20 is a turn-table 22 havingratchet-teeth 23 upon its periphery.

24L indicates standards rising from the table 20, and 2526 indicatecrossbars suitably attached to said standards.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed Apri126, 1909.

Patented Mar. 1, 1911].

Serial No. 492,372.

27 indicates a shaft journaled upon the upper ends of the standards 24,upon which shaft 1s revolubly mounted a pulley 28 which is adapted to beclutched positively to the shaft so as to rotate therewith by means of aclutch member 29 formed on the hub of the pulley and a clutch member 30feathered upon the shaft.

31 indicates a collar revolubly mounted upon the clutch member 30 butsecured against movement longitudinally thereof.

32 indicates a lever pivotally connected to the crossbar 25, providedwith a handle 23 at its lower end and provided at its upper end with aslot 34 which engages a pin 35 on the collar 31, the lever serving tothrow the clutch member 30 into and out of engagement with the clutchmember 29.

The turn-table 22 is provided on its upper face with a series of dies 36and 37, arranged alternately about the periphery of the turntable, oneadjacent to each of the ratchet teeth 23. In the operation of themachine, the turn-table is rotated intermittently, at each actuationeach of the dies occupying the position immediately before held by thenext adjacent die. I will now describe the mechanism by which thismotion is imparted to the turn-table.

38 indicates a slide-block dove-tailed into the upper surface of thetable 20 so as to slide freely therein. 39 indicates a pawl pivotallymounted on the upper surface of said slide-block.

40 indicates a spiral spring connected at one end to a pin 4:1projecting from the outer face of the pawl 39 and connected at its otherend to an arm 42 carried by the slide-block 38 forward of the pivotpoint of said pawl. The spring 40 serves to keep the front end of thepawl in contact with one or another of the ratchet-teeth 23 of theturn-table 22.

43 indicates a yoke secured upon the rear end of the slide-block 38,provided with a roller 44: at its upper end pivoted on an axis extendingtransversely of the slide-block.

45 indicates a plunger rod passing through suitable openings in thecrossbars 25 and 26, upon which is located a spiral spring 46, the lowerend of which bears upon the crossbar 25, the upper end bearing against apin 17 passing through the plunger rod, the spring serving to hold theplunger yieldingly up.

@8 indicates a collar secured by means of a set-screw upon the plunger4-5 below the with the roller 44 causes the roller andconsequently theslide-block 38 and pawl 39 to move forward, rotating the turn-table inthe direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5.

49 indicates a spiral spring connected at one end to the arm 42 and atits other end to the table 20 so as to cause the slide-block 38 toreturn to its normal position when the plunger 45 is raised so as tofree the roller 44 from the plate 49. In this movement of theslide-block, the pawl 39 slips over the tooth 23 with which it is heldin contact by the spring 40 without causing any turning'of theturn-table and engages the tooth so as to give the turn-table anotherlimited rotation upon the next succeeding actuation ofthe plunger 45.

The turn-table is provided with a series of openings 50 on its underside, one between each of the dies 36 and its adjacent die 37.

51 indicates a post depending from the lower face of the table 20,pivoted on the lower end of which is a lever 52. 53 indicates a rollerrevolubly mounted on one end of said lever, and 54 indicates a pinseated on a set-screw 55 passing through the other end of said lever,said pin passing up into an opening through the table 20, a spiralspring 56 being located on said pin between said lever and the undersurface of said table. The lever 52 is so proportioned and positionedthat the roller 53 is directly beneath the plunger 45, so that when theplunger 45 is lowered to cause a rotation of the turn-table its lowerend comes in contact with the roller 53, rocking the outer end of thelever 52 downward and forcing the pin 54 upward against the force of thespring 56. The parts are so timed that the pin 54 emerges above thetable 20 just as one of the openings 50 comes into registry with thepin, the set screw being adjusted to that end, the result being that solong as the plunger 45 is held down in its lowermost position theturn-table is locked against rotation. WVhenever the plunger is releasedso as to permit the spring 46 to force it upward, the spring 56immediately acts to retract the pin 54, again permitting rotation of theturn-table.

57 indicates a cam member non-rotatably secured upon the shaft 27 inline with the plunger 45.

58 indicates a roller journaled in the upper end of the plunger 45 andadapted to contact with the periphery of said eam member, beingprevented from turning out of contact therewith by means of alongitudinal groove 59 in the plunger whieh is engaged by a pin 60carried by the crossbar 26.

From the above description, it will be seen that for each rotation ofthe shaft 27, the plunger 45 will be twice forced downward as the roller58 travels down the ram surfaces of said cam member 57, being held inits lowermost position at each stroke while. the roller traverses one ofthe circular portions of the cam member, in each instanee the plungerbeing returned to normal position by the spring 46 after the roller 58reaches the end of the circular portion. lt. is therefore apparent thatupon each rotation of the shaft 27 the turn-table is twice given alimited rotation, after each aetuation being locked for a short time inposition.

6162 indicate plungers passing through suitable openings in thecrossbars 25 and 26 so as to be movable up and down therethrough. Theseplungers are so positioned that when the turn-table is locked againstturning as above described one plunger is in registry with one of thedies while the other plunger is in registry with the die next adjacentthereto. Upon each of these plungers 6162 is located a spiral spring 63which bears at its lower end against the crossbar 25 and at its upperend against a pin 6 1 passing through the plunger. Each of said plungershas revolubly mounted in its upper end a roller 65 which is adapted tobear upon the bearing face of a cam .lnember suitably positioned on theshaft 27 and nonrotatably secured thereon. The cam member with which theroller on the plunger 61 contacts is indicated by 66, and the cam memberwith which the roller on the plunger 62 eontacts is indicated by 67. Theplungers are held against rotation and the rollers in eontact with thebearing faces of the cams by means of longitudinal grooves 68 in saidplungers which are engaged by pins 69 carried by the crossbar 26 andadapted to slide freely in said grooves. As seen from Figs. 2 and 6, thecam member 66 is provided with only one cam surface, while the cammember 67 is provided with two. It therefore follows that the plunger 61will be given one downward stroke to each revolution of the shaft 27while the plunger 62 will be given two downward strokes, the springs 63serving to return the plungers as will be. readily understood. Thearrangement is such that the plungers 61 and 62 reach their lowermostpositions at about the same time that the plunger 45 reaches itslowermost position, at which time the turn-table is locked againstturning and the dies are in registry with the plungers 61 and 62. It istherefore seen that the plunger 61 is forced down into every alternatedie, while the plunger 62 descends into each die as it comes intoregistry with such plunger.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 8 Where the parts are best shown, indicates apin screwthreaded into the lower end of the plunger 62. 71 indicates acap mounted on the end of the plunger 62 and inclosing the pin 70 so asto slide freely thereon, the lower end of said pin protruding below thecap through a suitable opening therein. The cap 71 is provided with acircumferential. shoulder, interposed between which and a small pin 72passing transversely through said pin 70 is a spiral spring 73. The pin72 passes also through slots 74 in the sides of the cap 71 in whichslots the pin 72 is free to slide, so that the spring 73 holds the cap71 yieldingly at the uppermost limit of its vertical motion.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 9, 75 indicates a pin screw-threaded into thelower end of the plunger 61. 76 indicates a cap loosely mounted on thelower end of the pin 75 so as to slide freely thereon. 77 indicates asmall pin passing through a slot 78 in the pin 75 and through the cap76, being free to slide in the slot 78. 79 indicates a spiral springinterposed between a circumferential shoulder at the upper end ofthe'pin 75 and the upper end of the cap 76, serving to hold said capyieldingly in its lowermost position relative to said )in 75.

Each of the dues 37 (see Fig. 6) is stepped toward its lower end, eachdie being provided with two of such steps or benches 80 and 81. As shownin Fig. 9, the lower end of the cap 76 is of a size to fit looselywithin a collet 82 which in turn fits loosely in the die 37 upon thebench or step 80. Referring to Figs. 2 and 8 where one of the dies 36 isshown, it will be seen that such die is provided with a central opening83 and a smaller concentric opening 84:. The opening 83 is of a size tofit loosely about a paper wad 85 which in turn fits loosely within thecollet 82.

In operation, a collet such as 82 is placed by an operator in each ofthe dies 37 upon the stem or bench 80. A disk of cloth, or othersuitable material, such as 86, somewhat larger in diameter than thecollet 82 is then placed by another operator in posi tion in each die 37above the collet 82 resting upon the step or bench 81. Still anotheroperator places in each die 36 a paper wad or pad, such as 85. It willbe understood that the dies will be provided with parts as describedbefore the machine starts, and that thereafter as the turn -tahlerotates through power applied to the pulley 28 as already described theoperators will con tinue to supply such parts to the turn-table. Whenpower is thus applied to the shaft sition.

27, the cam 57 forces the plunger 15 down, rotating the turn-table andlocking it in po- At the same time the cams 66 and 67 forcethe plungers61 and 62 downward, the plunger 61 entering the die 37 and the plunger62 entering the die 36. The pin 7 O descending upon the wad 85 in thedie 36 passes through such wad, the lower end of the cap 71coming incontact with the wad. hen the plunger is thereafter raised by the spring63, the wad of paper is retained on the pin-70. At the same time the pin7 5 descends upon the cloth 86 and collet 82 in the die 37. Inasmuch asthe spring 79 holds the cap 76 at its lowermost position, the point 'ofthe pin merely penetrates the cloth without deflecting it downward to avery great extent before the lower end of the cap comes in contact withthe cloth and presses it against the step or bench 80. Thereafter thedownward motion of the plunger being continued, the pin 75 descendsthrough the opening in the lower end of the cap and through the openingin the collet, carrying the cloth 86 down with it against the force ofthe pressure of the spring-seated cap upon the step 80, forming a shankfor the button-back, as shown in Fig. 10. When the plunger again rises,the pin 75 is first withdrawn from the cloth while the cap 76 is stillholding the cloth in position through the action of the spring 79,whereupon further upward movement of the plunger carries the pin and capfree of the die, the whole process of assembling the parts so fardescribed occupying one-half of the period of one revolution of theshaft 27. When the plunger 4:5 is again forced downward, the turn-tableis given another impulse and locked again in position with the die 37just previously occupied by the plunger 61 in registry with the plunger62 which carries the impaled wad 85. The cam member 66 has no eifectupon the plunger 61, the roller 65 hearing at this time upon thecircular portion of such cam member, but the cam 67 forces the plunger62 down, the pin 70 carrying the wad 85 entering the die 37 shortlyafter the turntable is locked in position. By this operation thewad 85is caused to descend upon and to enter the collet 82 with the containedcloth 86. As

has been said, the wad 85 is somewhat relative to the cap forcing thebutton-back ing the assembled button-racks from the pin and fordelivering them into any suitable receptacle, 87 indicates a disk,partly cut away, located on the shaft 27 and revoluble therewith.

88 indicates a vertical rock-shaft journaled in the crossbars 25 and 26.

89 indicates an arm connected'to the lower end of the rock-shaft 88,carrying at its other end a slanting'plate or chute 90.

91 indicates a torsion spring located upon the rock-shaft 88 andconnected with said rock-shaft and with the crossbar 25, tending to holdsaid rock-shaft in such a position that the plate will extend under thelower end of the pin 70 when the plunger 62 is in its elevated position.

92 indicates a pin depending from the crossbar 25 against which the arm89 bears when the plate 90 is in position extending under the end of thepin 70.

93 indicates an arm secured to the upper end of the rock-shaft 88 andextending toward the disk 87, the parts being so positioned that whenthe cut-away portion of said disk is lowermost the arm 93 is freed fromcontact therewith and the spring 91 is free to turn said plate intoposition extending under said pin 70, but as the disk rotates with theshaft 27 the disk forces the arm 93 out of its way against the action ofthe spring 91, the end of the arm 93 thereupon bearing against one faceof the disk and the plate 90 being turned out of the path of the plunger62 and pin 70 until the pin again comesto the cut-away portion of thediskwhen the spring immediately re turns the plate to its positionextending under the plunger. The disk 87 is so pro- '-portioned'andpositioned on the shaft 27 that the plate 90 is swung into positionbelow the end of the pin 70 just as said pin is rising with theassembled button-back upon its lower end.

As will be seen from Fig. 2, one face of the cam member 67 is somewhatnearer to the shaft 27 than the other. When the plunger 62 rises fromthe stroke by which the wad of paper is secured upon the pin 70, the cammember 67 permits the spring 63 to force the plunger up to a position atwhich the cap 71 is very lightly if at all in contactwith the crossbar25, but when the plunger rises from the succeeding stroke with theassembled button-back upon the lower end of the pin 70, the oppositeside of the cam member 67 is in contact with the roller 65 so that theplunger is forced farther upward by the spring 63. The re sult is thatthe cap 71 comes into contact with the crossbar 25 before the end of theupward stroke and the pin'7O is therefore raised relative to the capagainst the action of the spring 73, this raising of thepin 7 O whichhas been in contact with the lower end of the cap off the end of thepin. As described above, at just this time the plate 90 is in positionbelow the end of the plunger 62, so that the button-back falls onto suchplate and is slid to one side into any suitable receptacle.

As has been said above, the plunger 62 descends into each of the dies ofthe turntable as it rotates, while the plunger 61 descends only intoevery alternate die, namely dies 37. In practice it was found that, whenthe machine was stopped while the turn-table was in motion and before itbecame locked in position by the pin 54:, the weight of the cams and thepressure of the springs 63 and 46 would rotate the shaft 27 backwardwithout a corresponding backward rotation of the turn-table, so that thepawl 39 would engage the next succeeding tooth 23. The result of this ofcourse was that the plunger 61 descended thereafter into dies 36 insteadof into dies 37. To prevent this, I have provided a ratchet-wheel 94(see Fig. 2) keyed orotherwise secured on the shaft 27, and aspring-seated dog 95 engaging the ratchet-wheel to prevent backwardmovement of the shaft 27 when the clutch members 29 and 30 aredisengaged upon stopping the machine.

hat I claim'as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1.In a button assembling machine, the combination with a die adapted tohold a wad of suitable material, of a reciprocatory plunger providedwith a pin at its lower end adapted to be lowered upon said wad and toimpale the same.

2. In a button assembling machine, the combination with a die adapted tohold a wad of suitable material, a second die adapted to hold a colletprovided with a cloth forming a shank therefor, and a reciprocatoryplunger provided with a pin at its lower end, of means adapted to lowersaid plunger into said first die to impale said wad and the-n to liftthe same, and means adapted to lower said plunger and said wad into suchsecond die and to compress said wad into said collet above said cloth toform a button-back and then to lift said buttonback.

3. In a button assembling machine, the combination with a die adapted tohold a wad of suitable material, a second die adapted to hold a colletprovided with a cloth forming a shank therefor, and a reciprocatoryplunger provided with a pin at its lower end, of means adapted to lowersaid plunger into said first die and to impale said wad on said pin andthen lift the plunger and impaled wad, means adapted to lower saidplunger and said wad into said second die and to compress said wad intosaid collet above said cloth to form a buttonback and then to lift saidbutton-back impaled on said pin, and means adapted to remove saidbutton-back from said pin.

4. In a button assembling machine, the combination with a die adapted tohold a wad of suitable material, a second die adapted to hold a colletprovided with a cloth forming a shank therefor, and a reciprocatoryplunger provided with a pin at its lower end, of means adapted to lowersaid plunger into said first die and to impale said wad on said pin .andthen lift the plunger and impaled wad, means adapted to lower saidplunger and said wad into said second die and to compress said wad intosaid collet above said cloth to form a button-back and then to lift saidbutton-back impaled on said pin, means adapted to remove said buttonbackfrom said pin, and means adapted to direct said button-back whenreleased into a suitable receptacle.

5. In a button assembling machine, the combination with a die adapted tohold a wad of suitable material, a second die adapt-- ed to hold acollet provided with a cloth forming a shank therefor, and areciprocatory plunger provided with a pin at its lower end, of meansadapted to lower said plunger into said first die and to impale said wadon said pin and then lift the plunger and impaled wad, means adapted tomove said second die into line with said plunger, and means adapted tolower said plunger into said second die and to compress said wad intosaid collet above said cloth to form a button-back and then to lift saidbuttonback impaled on said pin.

6. The combination with a turn-table, and

a series of dies arranged therein and adapted to contain wads ofsuitable material, of a reciprocatory plunger provided with a pin at itslower end, means for intermittently rotating said turn-table to bringsaid dies successively into line with said p unger, and means adapted tolower said plunger successively into said dies and to impale the wadslocated therein.

7. The combination with a turn-table,-and a series of dies arrangedtherein, of two reciprocatory plungers, means for intermittentlyrotating said turn-table to bring said dies successively into line withsaid plungers, means for lowering one of said plungers successively intoeach of said dies, and means for lowering the other of said plungerssuccessively into each alternate one of said dies.

8. The combination with a turn-table, and a series of dies arrangedtherein each adapted to hold a perforated collet and a superimposed diskof cloth, of a reciprocatory plunger, means for intermittently rotatingsaid turn-table to bring each of said dies in turn into line with saidplunger, means for locking said turn-table successively in suchpositions, and means adapted to lower said plunger into said die whilesaid turn-table is thus locked in position and to force the clothlocated on the collet in the die through the central hole of the colletto form a shank therefor.

9. The combination with a turn-table, and two sets of dies arrangedalternately there in, of two reciprocatory plungers, a shaft, ratchetmechanism actuated by the rotation of said shaft for rotating saidturn-table, and adapted to bring said dies successively into line withsaid plungers, means for looking said turn-table against turning aftereach rotation to a certain predetermined eX- tent, means actuated bythe. said rotation of said shaft for lowering one of said plungers intoeach of said dies in turn, means for lowering the other of said plungerssuccessively into each alternate one of said dies, and means adapted toprevent backward rotation of said shaft whereby said l-ast-named plungeris prevented from being lowered successively into the wrong set of saidalternately-arranged dies.

10. The combination with a table, a turntable revolubly mounted thereonprovided with a series of openings in its lower face arranged in acircle about its axis of rotation, a reciprocatory plunger, means forforcing said plunger downward, and means actuated by said plunger duringa part of its downward stroke for rotating said turntable, of a pinlocated in an opening in said table in line with said series of openingsas said turn-table rotates, and means actuated by said plunger at themoment that one of said openings in said turn-table is in alinement withthe opening in said table for moving said pin upward to enter saidopening in said turn-table to lock the turn-table against rotation.

11. In a button assembling machine, the

combination with a die adapted to hold a button-part comprising a wad ofsuitable material, a reciprocatory plunger, and means for lowering saidplunger into said die, of a pin fixedly carried by said plunger at itslower end, and adapted to impale the wad in said die, a cap located onsaid pin and movable longltudinally thereof, against which cap when in araised position on said pin said impaled wad bears, and a stop adaptedto engage said cap just before said plunger reaches its uppermostposition and adapted by the further movement of said plunger and pin tofree said wad from said in. p 12. In a button assembling machine, thecombination with a die adapted to hold a buttonart comprising a wad ofsuitable materia a reciprocatory plunger, and means for lowering saidplunger into said die, of a pin fixedly carried by said plunger at itssaid die, a cap located on said pin and movable longitudinally thereof,against which cap when in a raised position on said pin said impaled wadbears, a spring tending to hold said cap. in its raised positionrelative to said pin, and a stop adapted to engage said cap just beforesaid plunger reaches its uppermost position and adapted by the furthermovement of said plunger and pin to free said wad from said pin.

13. In a button assembling machine, the combination with a die adaptedto hold a button-part comprising a wad of suitable material, a shaft,means for rotating the same, a reciprocatory plunger, means actuated bysaid shaft for lowering said plunger into said die, a pin fixedlycarried by said plunger at its lower end and adapted to impale the wadin said die, and means for releasing said impaled Wad from said pin assaid plunger reaches its uppermost position, of a vertically-disposedrock-shaft adapted to be rocked between two positions, an inclined plateconnected to the lower end of said rock-shaft and adapted at one of thesaid positions of said rock-shaft to extend under said plunger when saidplunger is in its raised position, yielding means tending to hold saidrock-shaft in one of its said positions, and means actuated by saidshaft for holding said rock-shaft in the other of its said twopositions.

14. In a button assembling machine, the combination with a die adaptedto hold a button-part comprising a wad of suitable material, a shaft,means for rotating the same, a reciprocatory plunger, means actuated bysaid shaft for lowering saidplunger into said die, a pin fixedly carriedby said plunger at its lower end and adapted to impale the wad insaiddie, and means for releasing said impaled wad from said pin as saidplunger reaches its uppermost position, of a vertically-disposedrock-shaft, an inclined plate connected to the lower end of saidrock-shaft, a spring tending to hold said rock-shaft in turned positionso that said plate shall extend under said plunger, a disk fixedlysecured on said first-mentioned shaft, said disk being partially cutaway, and a' pin carried by said rock-shaft adapted to bear against oneface of said disk where not cut away to hold said plate from under saidplunger.

15. In a button assembling machine, the combination with a die adaptedto hold a wad of suitable material, a second die adapted to hold acollet provided with a cloth forming a shank therefor, a shaft, meansfor rotating the same, a plunger mounted below said shaft, a cam memberfixedly secured on said shaft, a cam face on said cam member adapted toengage said plunger to force it downward into the die containing saidwad, a pin fixedly carried by said plunger at its lower end and adaptedto impale the wad in said die at said downward stroke, a cap located onsaid pin and movable longitudinally thereof, against which cap when in araised position on said pin said impaled wad bears, and a spring adaptedto raise said plunger and to maintain it in contact with said cammember, of means adapted to move said second die with the containedcollet and cloth into line with said plunger, a second cam face on saidcam member adapted to engage said plunger to force it with its impaledwad downward into the die containing the said collet and cloth and tocompress said wad lirmly in said collet above said cloth to form abutton-back, said wad being still impaled on said pin, and a stopagainst which said cap bears shortly before said plunger reaches itsuppermost position on being raised by said spring with the completedbutton-back impaled on said pin, said cam member being so formed that onsaid second upward stroke of the plunger the spring is enabled to liftthe plunger higher than upon its said first upward stroke, said stopserving to hold said cap against such further upward movement with theplunger whereby the button-back is freed from the pin.

16. In a button assembling machine. the combination with a die adaptedto hold a wad of suitable material, a second die adapted to hold acollet provided with a cloth forming a shank therefor, a shaft, meansfor rotating the same, a plunger mounted below said shaft, a cam memberfixedly secured on said shaft, a cam face on said cam member adapted toengage said plunger to force it downward into the die containing saidwad, a pin fixedly carried by said plunger at its lower end and adaptedto impale the wad in said die at said downward stroke, a cap located onsaid pin and movable longitudinally thereof, against which cap when in araised position on said pin said impaled wad bears, and a spring adaptedto raise said plunger and to maintain it in contact with said cammember, of means adapted to move said second die with the containedcollet and cloth into line with said plunger, a second cam face on saidcam member adapted to engage said plunger to force it with its impaledwad downward into the die containing the said collet and cloth and tocompress said wadfirmly-in said collet above said cloth to form a button-back, said wad being still impaled on said pin, a stop against whichsaid cap bears shortly before said plunger reaches its uppermostposition on being raised by said spring with the completed button-backimpaled on said pin, said cam member being so formed that on said secondupward stroke of the plunger the spring is enabled to lift the plungerhigher than upon its said first upward stroke, said stop serving to holdsaid cap against such further upward movement with the plunger wherebythe button-back is freed from the pin, a vertical rock-shaft, aninclined plate can ried thereby, and means adapted to rock saidrock-shaft to move said inclined plate into position extending undersaid plunger at about the end of the said second upward stroke of saidplunger whereby said plate directs said button-back into a suitablereceptacle when freed from the pin.

17. In a button assembling machine, the

combination with a turn-table, a set of dies each adapted to hold acollet with a super imposed disk of cloth arranged in the upper face ofsaid turn-table, a second set of dies each adapted to hold a wad ofsuitable material arranged in the upper face of said turn-tablealternating with the dies of said first set, a shaft, a reciprocatoryplunger actuated by said shaft to descend into a die containing saidcollet and cloth and to force said cloth down into said collet to form ashank therefor, a second reciprocatory plunger actuated by said shaft todescend into a die containing one of said wads and to impale and pick upsaid wad, means for turning said turn-table to bring the die containingsaid collet and cloth just acted upon into line with said secondplunger, means actuated by said shaft to lower said second plunger andimpaled wad into the die containing said collet and cloth and tocompress said wad firmly into said collet above said cloth to form abutton-back, means for raising said plunger with the impaledbutton-back, means for freeing said buttonback from said plunger, andmeans for turning said turn-table to bring another die containing one ofsaid wads into line with said last-mentioned plunger.

18. In abutton assembling machine, the combination with a die adapted tocontain a centrally-perforated collet and a superimposed disk of cloth,of a reciprocatory plunger provided with a pin at its lower end, a caplocated on the lower end of said pin and movable longitudinally thereof,and

a spring tending to hold said cap in its lowermost position relative tosaid pin, said plunger being adapted to be lowered into said die so thatsaid cap will bear against said cloth and hold said cloth with the forceof the said spring against said die while said pin descends farther intosaid die and forces said cloth firmly through the central hole in saidcollet to form a shank therefor.

19. The combination with a plunger provided with a pin at its lower end,of a cap slidingly mounted on said pin, and means adapted to hold saidcap yieldingly in its uppermost position relative to said pin.

20. The combination with a plunger provided with a pin at its lower end,of a cap slidingly mounted on said pin having a circumferential flangeat its upper end, a key passing through said pin and throughlongitudinal slots in said cap, and a spring mounted on said cap betweensaid key and said flange tending to hold said cap in its uppermostposition.

21. In a button-assembling machine, the combination with a die adaptedto hold a wad of suitable material, of a reciprooatory plunger providedwith a pin at its lower end adapted to be lowered upon said wad and toimpale the same, and automaticallyoperating means for freeing said wadfrom said pin.

ERNEST F. T. LUNDQUIST.

Witnesses:

ALBERT H. ADAMS, W. H. DE BUsK.

